We divided our trip up into three key destinations
First Stop Cape Town
Itinerary: NYC (JFK) —> Johannesburg (JNB) [15 hours] —> Cape Town (CPT) [2 hours]
Our flight from Johannesburg to Cape Town landed on time. Nice little modern airport little smaller than Joburg airport but with plenty of ATMs, coffee shops, restaurants and most importantly helpful tourist information desks in the arrival hall. Withdraw some money from the ATM. Grab some maps and travel guides from the information desk.
From the airport, it took us about 30 minutes to get to Icon Luxury Apartments in the city center. The highway was as good as any American highway.
Uber’s are very easy to find and it’s affordable, so transportation is a breeze. We stayed at The Capital Mirage, which was conveniently located in the center of town and nearby the V&A Waterfront, a popular mall with restaurants along the water.
You will want at least three days to see all that Cape Town has to offer. You will find many different cuisines and gourmet restaurants run by famous chefs throughout the town. Some of our favorites included Test Kitchen (must book well in advance via their website!), Gold’s (African cuisine with live dancing), and Jason’s bakery (Coffee/breakfast/incredible pastries).
Few Pictures That Tells The Story
Visit Table Mountain One of The 7th Natural Wonder of The World
Nine o’clock in the morning is the best time to avoid a busload of tourists. Table Mountain is at least 6 times older than the Himalayas, making it one of the oldest mountains in the world. A great place to sit and soak up the incredible 360-degree views of Cape Town, Table Bay, the nearby peaks like Lion’s Head, Signal Hill, and Robben Island. The iconic flat-topped Table Mountain is one of the main attractions of Cape Town to locals and visitors alike. The easiest way to get to the top is by Aerial Cableway. Buying tickets online is the best option; otherwise, you may risk waiting hours at the ticketing line.
Boulder Beach
Boulder Beach is also a popular destination if you want to see the famous African penguins gathered there. We visited Boulder Beach as part of a private tour arranged via our agency that also took us to the Cape Peninsula, the southernmost tip of South Africa.
Visit Franschhoek Wine Country
Lastly, we spent a full day in wine country, making multiple stops, including Franschhoek, Babylonstoren, and La Petite Ferme. It would definitely seem to be a wonderful romantic experience to spend a night at one of these locations, but a full day trip will suffice if you are short on time (as we were).
Visit Signal Hill for Sunset
You need to be there a little early at least an hour before the sunset to secure a convenient parking spot. On your way up, you may find several lookouts, therefore consider pulling over for photo opportunity. This is a perfect sunset drive, and absolutely nothing can beat witnessing the breathtaking scenery of the Sun going down on the horizon. Moreover, it’s a truly romantic spot to sit quietly at the elevation of 985 ft (300 m) and enjoy the city skyline after sunset. It’s important to know that Signal Hill is not considered to be a safe place for hangout late at night; therefore, my suggestion is to make your way back down right after sunset.
GOLD Restaurant
Considering as one of the best restaurants in Cape Town, I made online reservations a month before our visit, so getting a table wasn’t that difficult. The delicious 14 courses of Cape Malay and African food kept us busy throughout the dinner. How about trying some South African Ostrich biltong (dried meat) or Tanzanian dried fish and shrimp with spinach, yes definitely something unique. Most importantly, the exclusive interactive traditional entertainment during this amazing culinary experience was awesome.
The Test Kitchen
One of the famous restaurants in Cape Town serves Latin food with a South African touch with modern decoration.
Guided Package Trip
We booked our trip via Go2Africa travel agency, which was free of charge and very accommodating with our specific requests. In fact, it is encouraged to use a travel agency when traveling to SA as many safari lodges are booked exclusively via agencies to boost & preserve healthy and organized tourism. They also arranged for pickup & transportation at all our various stops, as well as private tours.
Flights
At the time of our trip (October 2019), there were no direct flights from NYC/NJ to Cape Town; thus, we had a brief layover in Johannesburg en route to Cape Town. We heard while on our trip that direct flights were added from NYC to Cape Town in December
Best Time To Visit
The recommended time of travel is May – October, as this is the local dry season. We found the weather to be very pleasant, but it does get chilly in the early mornings and late evenings. It is important to note the climate is considered to be “sub-tropical,” i.e., very unpredictable. While on your safari, you can experience 100 degrees Fahrenheit (38 celsius) one day, and freezing cold rain the next (which is exactly what we got). So come prepared!
Safari in Sabi Sand Game Reserve
Itinerary: Cape Town (CPT) —> Kruger International Airport (KMI) [3 hours]
The highlight of the trip, by far! We stayed at Savannah Private Game Reserve, a luxurious resort with very friendly & personable staff, incredibly fresh food every day, and a different unique experience each night (i.e., dinner under the stars on our first night). We opted for a more luxurious destination for our honeymoon, but you can certainly find less expensive options if you prefer.
The game reserve hosted two “game drives” each day: one in the morning around 05:15 am, and another around 3 pm (15:00). Each game drive was approximately 3 hours long, and the driver (along with a personal tracker) did a great job to ensure you get a glimpse of just about every animal, including the big five. The early morning drive is critical to seeing the animals in their natural habitat as they awaken and begin their hunt for the day. Sabi Sands is particularly known for Leopards, which we were lucky enough to see a few times, but also has an abundance of Lions, Cheetahs, Giraffes, Rhinos, Buffalo, Zebras, and more.
In between game drives, you can opt for massages, hang by the pool, or simply take in the surrounding sights and sounds. There is a watering hole that is occasionally visited by wild animals. This all-inclusive lodge made sure we were comfortable, safe, and ready for our adventure. They provided blankets, ponchos, water canteens, chapsticks, etc. The rangers were extremely knowledgeable and made you feel like you were part of their family. It was truly amazing to see all the animals in their natural habitat.
Mauritius A Perfect Destination for Honeymoon
Itinerary: Kruger International Airport (KMI) —> Johannesburg (JNB) [1 hour] —> Mauritius (MRU) [6 hours]
Mauritius is a small island a little beyond Madagascar, and perfect for a relaxing end to your trip. We opted for an all-inclusive stay at the Victoria Beachcomber Resort & Spa. Our room was wonderfully located with an attached swim-up pool that led to one of the main pools with a swim-up bar. There were several restaurants at the resort included with the all-inclusive package, including Italian, Steakhouse, and a buffet (but we much preferred the sit-in restaurants over the buffet, which seemed more suitable for kids). For us, three nights was a perfect amount of time to unwind, as we get a bit restless with too much beach time. Included with our stay was a complimentary gift experience, which allowed us to choose an experience from several options (Sunset cruise, a spa day, catamaran snorkeling, etc.).
Relaxing on the Beach
The Indian Ocean island Mauritius is known for its beaches, tropical palm trees, lagoons, and reefs. We spend much of our time relaxing at the spectacular white sandy beaches and waters with all shades of blue.
Visit Tamarind Falls
Tamarind Falls is about 43 km from Victoria Beachcomber Resort & Spa, where we were staying in Mauritius. It is also known as 7 Cascades consists of 12 incredible waterfalls. Hiking to the Tamarind Falls can be a challenge, and it is definitely not for you if you are afraid of heights. Moreover, the trail is very steep and slippery after rain but worth it for the panoramic view.
Giant Water Lilies Pond
The historical Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam botanical garden is one of the most popular attractions in Mauritius. It is located in Pamplemousses district about 12 km from our hotel or the capital Port Louis.
Don’t miss out the beautiful giant Victoria Amazonica water lilies are the main attractions of this garden.
Enjoy Sunset Cruise in Mauritius
Sunset Cruise in Mauritius is one of the best ways to end a charming day in paradise Island. The sunset scene is fabulous on the north-west coast of the island. Nothing can beat the fascinating sunset experience onboard a 40 feet catamaran while enjoying complimentary cocktails and snacks as part of the two hours trip.
Snorkeling in Balaclava Marine Park
An attraction not to be missed is snorkeling in Mauritius! I snorkeled every single day of my school holidays in the lagoon. Today I’ll like to share my years of experience with you. My best spots and how to safely explore our tropical sea life during your island holiday.
Try Out Local Cuisine
The Mauritius island, is a paradise of diverse culture and an excellent combination of different cuisines. Apart from Indian based dishes, there is also traditional Chinese and French cuisine that has adopted over the years with the local taste, which has its distinct kicks.
Roti, Pharat, Samosa, Mauritian Briyanai, chutney, Pickles, Boulette, and Fried Noodles stands out the most.
Guided Package Trip
We booked our trip via Go2Africa travel agency, which was free of charge and very accommodating with our specific requests. In fact, it is encouraged to use a travel agency when traveling to SA as many safari lodges are booked exclusively via agencies to boost & preserve healthy and organized tourism. They also arranged for pickup & transportation at all our various stops, as well as private tours.
Flights
At the time of our trip (October 2019), there were no direct flights from NYC/NJ to Cape Town; thus, we had a brief layover in Johannesburg en route to Cape Town. We heard while on our trip that direct flights were added from NYC to Cape Town in December 2019 – be sure to check!
Local Currency (Mauritian Rupee)
The local currency is called Mauritius Rupee (MUR); at the time of this writing, the conversation rate was 1 US$ = 40.30 Mauritian Rupee. For a better exchange rate, it is a good idea to use the local ATM or the local money exchanger as opposed to doing it in your own countries.
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Search Hotel in Mauritius
Best Time To Visit
We have visited Mauritius during the month of October, considered the best season to visit the island. Winter is between May to October, and the temperature was in the cooler side varied between 62F – 77F (17c -25c). This season is perfect for those who what to dodge the crowds and enjoy a quieter atmosphere.
Summer in Mauritius is between November to April. The weather is hot and humid during these months. The average temperature is between 80F – 84F (27c – 29c). This is peak season; therefore, the prices of hotels skyrocket, and beaches are crowded as well.
My Opinion and Last Word
Overall, South Africa was a honeymoon dream come true filled with culture, history, adventure, and an overall unforgettable experience that far exceeded our wildest imaginations. We could not recommend the trip more, as no matter what you were looking for a vacation, you are bound to find it here.
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